Ridgebury Elementary School

We love the school. This is our first year here. The principal is also relatively new. He is warm and friendly. As a result the school is a nice safe place for our children. They love it and tell me how nice the other students are. They are having a good year.
—Submitted by a parent

The new principal is a real leader with great ideas. My kids really like the school - great teachers and good kids. In addition to great academics, the art and music programs are excellent as are the enrichment programs. PTA is very active and parents are very involved.
—Submitted by a parent

Fantastic school. We moved here from another area in Fairfield County that also had excellent schools, and school quality was crucial consideration. Ridgebury has exceeded those already high standards we were accustomed to. Well deserving of the prestigious 9 out of 10 "GreatSchools" (sic) rating, our kids were warmly welcomed and are are loving learning at Ridgebury!
—Submitted by a parent

I think ridgebury is a great school and now one should dought it because my kids love ridgebury and once you het used to it every one gets nicer and the cmt help and if your kid gets introuble that is there fault
—Submitted by a parent

I left Ridgefield due to the overemphasis of this school on CMT testing and emphasis on rubrics, rubrics, rubrics. My daughter was very unhappy. Children at this school, in general, are unhappy. My daughter felt she was constantly yelled at by teachers, and she is a quiet type. My son also had a difficult time, even though he is a gifted student. Ridgefield's education is not as advertised or expected, and I did considerable research.
—Submitted by a parent

It's the end the year and not much was accomplished by the new principal, too much focus on cmt testing and neglecting other academics. Too much focus on looking good for the parents, community in the prinicipal's 1st yr. Let's hope administration andthe community realizes their mistake to give a position to someone with no outside experience. I worry about the students education.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel that the school has really suffered the loss of a fabulous Principal. I think that the new Principal lacks the leadership skills and enthusiasm needed to direct the school. Parent involvement is pretty low considering the large size of the school. The school needs more funding and enrichment programs. Most of the teachers only teach testing skills but this is due to the constrictive 'No Child Left Behind' laws which are killing critical thinking skills in all our public schools.
—Submitted by a parent